Asymmetric physical exercise system

ABSTRACT

Asymmetric Physical Exercise method and hardware system wherein two trainee&#39;s body member units apply a load referred as isometric load against each other directly or indirectly while an additional load referred as bias load from an external source is applied to one of the body member units, each of said body member units includes at least one trainee&#39;s body member, and the said bias load direction is independent from the directions of body member units instantaneous motion velocities and has a component parallel to the isometric load.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of physical exercises,particularly to strength training and muscle building.

2. Background of the Invention

For strength training, there are several concepts including:

-   -   Isometrics: Static Isometric resistance training refers to        muscular action during which no change in the length of the        muscle takes place. Static Isometric exercises develop static        strength. This is the strength one needs to push or pull a heavy        object or hold it up. The Dynamic Isometric exercise concept is        referred as an exercise technique wherein the trainee uses force        applied symmetrically by opposite sides of his body or by two        different body parts such as leg versus arm, substantially        without any external resistance. The motion includes        (“positive”) concentric phase wherein the muscle contracts to        produce movement and (“negative”) eccentric phase wherein the        muscle lengthens to produce movement. The load can be applied        directly or via a device, the two body members are alternately        subjected to opposite motion phase: when one is in (“positive”)        concentric phase, then the other is in (“negative”) eccentric        phase, and vice versa. The most advantage of this technique is        that the exerciser controls the resistance, speed, and        pre-stretch; unfortunately, the advantage is also the        disadvantage since the exerciser needs to master the technique        to enjoy the best benefits. For rehabilitation, the Static        Isometric mode is commonly used pre and post operatively or when        pain associated with motion is a factor. Isometric contractions        are effective at developing strength and decreasing joint        effusion while avoiding painful points in the range of motion.        Static Isometric exercises have great benefits for joint        rehabilitation programs because by definition they involve no        movement and so can be performed in joint positions that produce        no pain or excessive stress, which avoids jeopardizing the        healing process of the injury. In addition, useful isometric        exercises can be performed in any house without any equipment.    -   Dynamic Constant External Resistance: Used to be called isotonic        exercise. Muscle exerts a constant tension. The motion includes        a concentric (“positive”) phase wherein the muscle contracts to        produce movement and an eccentric (“negative”) phase wherein the        muscle lengthens to produce movement. The weight on a machine or        bar stays constant but at the various angles in a range of        motion there are changes in the mechanical advantage, thus the        force exerted by the muscle is not constant.    -   Variable Resistance Training: using cams, lever arms and        pulleys, these types of machines alter the resistance in an        attempt to match the increases and decreases in strength        throughout the exercises range of motion. These are typical        strength curves:        -   Ascending strength curve=squat, easier at the top.        -   Descending strength curve=upright row, easier at the bottom.        -   Bell-shaped curve=biceps curl easier in the middle.    -   No machine has been enabling to match the three types of        strength curves or be able to accommodate differences in body        height and limb lengths. Lots of studies using various        combinations of sets and reps have determined that dynamic        variable resistance can cause significant increases in strength.    -   Eccentric Training: Also called “negative” training refers to a        muscular action in which the muscle lengthens in a controlled        manner. Eccentric force output is greater than concentric        output—one can lower more than you can lift so strength can be        improve greatly. This training technique usually requires a        spotter to assist with the concentric phase of the lift since        the optimum load for the eccentric phase is greater than the        load that the trainee can lift during the concentric phase.    -   Isokinetic Training: Isokinetic exercise was first introduced by        Hislop et al. in 1967, and since then it has been used widely in        rehabilitation. Unlike isometric and isotonic contraction,        isokinetic contractions provide muscle training throughout the        range of motion (ROM) of a joint at a pre-set, constant speed of        contractions. When a specific speed is reached the device will        automatically accommodate to give resistance to each point in        the range of motion (ROM) while allowing the specific speed to        be maintained. If the trainee is working as fast and as hard as        he/she can, the muscles will work at the maximum force at all        points in the ROM at that particular speed. This type of        training is very safe. When the trainee applies force, the        device provides resistance. If the force stops, the resistance        stops automatically. Force changes caused by muscle        length/tension relationship, skeletal leverage, pain or fatigue        is then easily accommodated. Though the advantage of being able        to train at several contractile speeds has not been specifically        illustrated, most athletic events, however, occur at fast speed        of contraction. Early studies have shown that strength gained at        relatively fast speed of contraction could be carried over into        relatively slow speed of contraction.    -   It can be Concentric or Eccentric. Results of a study suggest        Concentric Isokinetic and Eccentric isokinetic training equally        improve Concentric muscular torque and rate of torque        production. In addition, Eccentric training results in greater        Eccentric torque and rate of torque production improvements        compared to Concentric training. Another study suggests: The        preloaded isokinetic exhibited retention of strength and        endurance gains for as long as a year. The results indicated        that the preloaded isokinetic yielded superior gains in strength        and endurance as compared with the pure isokinetic except for        isometric endurance. The observed retention of gains in the        preloaded isokinetic during follow-ups may help direct        rehabilitation to include eccentrics with isokinetic training.        In U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,036, U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,738, and U.S.        Pat. No. 4,751,440, Dang disclosed design concepts for        Isokinetic training system that can provide preload Concentric        Isokinetic and Eccentric Isokinetic training employing an        electrical motor; however, the system can be very expensive to        produce and maintain.    -   Plyometrics Training: The word plyometric is beginning to be        replaced by the term “stretch-shortening cycle exercise”. This        refers to the sequence of: Eccentric>isometric>concentric.    -   When the sequence of eccentric to concentric action is performed        quickly; the muscle is stretched slightly prior to the        concentric action. The slight stretching stores elastic energy,        which is added to the normal force developed only by the        concentric muscle action. The pre-stretch might also result in        quicker recruitment of muscle fibers. Elastic energy may account        for a 30% increase in force production. It's important to        introduce stretch-shortening training slowly into the program        and keep the volume of training relatively low.

None of the above training techniques can meet all of these advantagesthat produce effective results and can be cost effective:

-   -   Producing Maximum load (resistance) that matches the trainee        maximum capacity through out the range of motion and through out        the course of training for each and every repetition of every        set.    -   The generated Eccentric load (resistance) is greater than the        generated Concentric load (resistance).    -   Providing Preload (Pre-stretch) before the motion.    -   Feasibility for injury rehabilitation.    -   Control of motion speed through out the range of motion.    -   The means to monitor the load and the speed of the training        motion.    -   The ease of training.    -   Safe training, minimum risk of injury.    -   Without the need for an assistant such as a spotter.    -   Low cost to produce and maintain the training equipments.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,396, Miller disclosed an adjustable resistanceupper body exerciser that includes a generally arcuate belt encirclingthe waist of a user and having a generally flat, rigid posterior centralportion and flexible anterior portions including buckling means. Aflexible inelastic cord having a length and left and right ends passesthrough an elongated guide means attached to the belt, slidablyretaining a central portion of the length the cord and leaving the rightand left ends of the cord extending in the anterior direction. A snubberis attached to the rigid posterior portion of the belt, contacting theslidable cord and applying an adjustable friction load to the slidablyretained cord. A pair of handles are attached to left and right ends ofthe cord, whereby a user wearing the belt encircling the waist mayalternately pull said left and right handles with a tension forcegenerally proportional to the friction load applied to the cord by thesnubber. In this concept, the load is the sum Isometric resistanceproduced by the trainee and the Isotonic resistance produced by frictionforce having direction opposite to the cord motion. As result: theconcentric load is always greater than the eccentric load. This conceptdoes not meet these criteria: Producing maximum load that matches thetrainers maximum capacity through out the range of motion and throughout the course of training for each and every repetition of every set,producing Eccentric load is greater than Concentric load, the means tomonitor the load and the speed of the training motion and Control ofmotion speed through out the range of motion. The force diagram isillustrated in FIG. 3 a. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,707, Bosch disclosed anexerciser, which includes a belt shaped for encircling the waist of auser, and attachment thereabout in a selected orientation. A flexibleline with handles attached to opposite ends is slidingly connected withthe belt for longitudinal, reciprocating motion of the flexible linewith respect to the belt. While jogging, the user can simultaneouslyexercise his upper body muscles by grasping the handles in oppositehands, and alternately pushing one handle forwardly, whilesimultaneously resisting rearward movement of the other handle, therebyisometrically exercising the user's arm and upper body muscles. Thisconcept does not meet these criteria: Producing maximum load thatmatches the trainers maximum capacity through out the range of motionand through out the course of training for each and every repetition ofevery set, producing Eccentric load is greater than Concentric load, themeans to monitor the load and the speed of the training motion andControl of motion speed through out the range of motion. The forcediagram is illustrated in FIG. 3 a.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,432, Gvoich disclosed A reciprocating variableisotonic resistance upper extremity and upper torso exercisercomprising: a plurality of removable and flexible housings having achannel and a bore interiorly said housing being slidingly mounted on awaist encircling belt; a means for buckling said belt; a flexibleinelastic rope having a length and right and left ends; a plurality ofguide tubes mounted in said bores of said housings, said membersslidably retaining said rope, leaving said right and left ends extendingtherefrom in the anterior direction; a resistance means being mounted inone of said bores of one of said housing, which contacts and slidablerope to impart a resistance thereon, further including: notched guidemeans having a threaded orifice in a outward facing wall thereof, athreaded thumb screw engaging therein, a U-shaped metal shoe havingflanges at its left and right ends whereby said shoe is docked in alumen of said notched guide with one of said flanges interlocking withone of said notches of said guide means to retain said shoe in placeduring use, whereby a turning of said crew adjust the friction load bornon said rope; and handles attached to a left and a right end of saidrope, whereby, during use, a user may reciprocally pull said left andright handles against a resistance provided by said means for providinga resistance. In this concept, the load is the sum Isometric resistanceproduced by the trainee and the Isotonic resistance produced by frictionforce having direction opposite to the cord motion, as result: theconcentric load is always greater than the eccentric load. This conceptdoes not meet these criteria: Producing maximum load that matches thetrainers maximum capacity through out the range of motion and throughout the course of training for each and every repetition of every set,producing Eccentric load is greater than Concentric load, the means tomonitor the load and the speed of the training motion and Control ofmotion speed through out the range of motion. The force diagram isillustrated in FIG. 3 a.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,429, Potash proposed a concept to provideeccentric load that is larger tan the concentric load wherein: Anattachment for a weight stack type exercise machine to pull the weightstack down while it is being lowered, so that the eccentric exerciseforce required to lower the stack is greater than the concentricexercise force required to raise it. Such asymmetric exercise forcesmore closely match muscle strengths, which are normally greater foreccentric exercise than for concentric exercise. The attachment has anelectric motor and a control unit including a keypad, a display and amicrocontroller. The motor is coupled to the weight stack by aneccentric force control cable. The keypad allows the user to select theamount of force added during the eccentric phase of exercise, when theweight stack is moving down and part of a lifting cable connected to ahandle or engageable member on the weight stack type machine is movingin. A sensor enables the controller to determine whether the weightstack is moving up or down. As the weights in the stack are beingraised, no significant. This concept is complicate and expensive forpractical application. With inclined gravity trainer such as Versa SwimTrainer (versatrainer.com), the training is completely Dynamic Isometricwherein the trainee uses force applied symmetrically by opposite arms,substantially without any external resistance; the total applied to botharm is a ratio of the trainee weight. This concept does not meet thesecriteria: Producing maximum load that matches the trainers maximumcapacity through out the range of motion and through out the course oftraining for each and every repetition of every set, producing Eccentricload is greater than Concentric load.

With ergometer trainer such as Versa Ergometer Trainer(versatrainer.com), the load is the sum Isometric resistance produced bythe trainee and the Isotonic resistance produced by friction forcehaving direction opposite to the cord motion, as result: the concentricload is always greater than the eccentric load. This concept does notmeet these criteria: Producing maximum load that matches the trainersmaximum capacity through out the range of motion and through out thecourse of training for each and every repetition of every set, producingEccentric load is greater than Concentric load.

A hand held Heartflex device produce by “heartflex.com” is based on thefrictional force, which is generated by bending and twisting a componentconnecting two hand grips; The total training force depends on therelative motion of the two hands and includes no isometric component.

In a training concept wherein the trainee is trained using weightequipments with the assistance of a spotter who is equipped with allnecessary tools to monitor the resistance and speed of the motion, thespotter applies additional load during both concentric phase andeccentric phase to ensure maximum load (resistance) that matches thetrainee maximum capacity through out the range of motion and though outthe course of training for each and every repetition of every set,Eccentric load (resistance) to be greater than the generated Concentricload (resistance), and safe training with minimum risk of injury, thenthis training concept would meet all desirable criteria except for thefact that the spotter assistance is not cheap. However, if the spotteris the trainee himself, then the expense or trouble in obtaining thespotter assistance can be eliminated, and that is the core idea of thisinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS

The objects of this invention is to provide physical training method andsystem that meet these criteria:

-   -   Producing Maximum load (resistance) that matches the trainee        maximum capacity through out the range of motion and through out        the course of training for each and every repetition of every        set.    -   The generated Eccentric load (resistance) is greater than the        generated Concentric load (resistance).    -   Providing Preload (Pre-stretch) before the motion.    -   Feasibility for injury rehabilitation.    -   Control of motion speed through out the range of motion.    -   The means to monitor the load and the speed of the training        motion.    -   The ease of training.    -   Safe training, minimum risk of injury.    -   Without the need for an assistant such as spotter.    -   Low cost to produce and maintain the training equipments.

To achieve the above objective, this invention proposes:

-   -   Asymmetric Physical Exercise method wherein two trainee's body        member units apply a load referred as isometric load against        each other directly or indirectly while an additional load        referred as bias load from an external source is applied to one        of the body member units, each of said body member units        includes at least one trainee's body member, and the said bias        load direction is independent from the directions of body member        units instantaneous motion velocities and has a component        parallel to the isometric load.    -   Hardware system architectures to perform the said Asymmetric        Physical Exercise method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 b subsequently demonstrate the Lateral Pull-Downmuscle training for right Arm/Torso and left Arm/Torso using a preferredembodiment of the Asymmetric Physical Exercise System of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 a and FIG. 2 b subsequently demonstrate the Lateral ShoulderPress muscle training for left Arm/Shoulder and right Arm/Shoulder usinga preferred embodiment of the Asymmetric Physical Exercise System of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3 b subsequently demonstrate the load diagram of theprior-art design concepts and the load diagram of the design conceptproposed by this invention.

FIG. 4 partially illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of theAsymmetric Physical Exercise System of the present invention.

FIG. 5 partially illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of theAsymmetric Physical Exercise System of the present invention.

FIG. 6 partially illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of theAsymmetric Physical Exercise System of the present invention.

FIG. 7 partially illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of theAsymmetric Physical Exercise System of the present invention using abarbell.

FIG. 8 partially illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of theAsymmetric Physical Exercise System of the present invention using acable weight machine

FIG. 9 a and 9 b subsequently illustrate asymmetric lateral raise & ironcross training for left and right shoulder & torso.

FIG. 10 a and 10 b subsequently illustrate asymmetric front & back flyertraining for left and right chest & back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As partially illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 bsubsequently demonstrate the Lateral Pull-Down muscle training for rightArm/Torso and left Arm/Torso using a preferred embodiment of theAsymmetric Physical Exercise System of the present invention, whichcomprises:

-   -   Interconnecting means that includes attachment means 1 such as        handles, stirrups, hand grips, straps, pedals at each end of a        flexible cable 2 for the trainee's right hands 3R and left hand        3L to apply isometric load 10R and 10L against each other        through the cable 2, the said cable 2 runs through a pulley        system 4 including at least one pulley, which is connected to        the rigid platform 5 such as the upper portion of a rigid frame        via a supporting means comprising a supporting bracket 6 and a        load sensing means 7 such as a load cell to monitor the        supporting load 11, the length of the supporting bracket 6 is        adjustable to accommodate for the trainee height;    -   A bias load generating means 8 such as a weight unit for        directly or indirectly applying a bias load 9 that is        independent from the instantaneous motion velocity of the        attachment interconnecting means to one of the trainee's hands;        for right Arm/Torso training, the bias load generating means 8        is attached to the trainee's left hand 3L via the attachment        means 1; alternately for left Arm/Torso training, the bias load        generating means 8 is attached to the trainee's right hand 3R        via the attachment means 1. At equilibrium, the sum of all loads        equals zero.

During right Arm/Torso training as illustrated in FIG. 1 a, as both armspull the cable 2 while moving in reciprocal motion, to keep the totalload balanced the right arm 1 2R must exert a load that equals to thesum of the isometric load produced by the left arm 12L and the bias load9 imposed by the bias load generating means 8; since the right arm 12Rmust exert greater load than the left arm 12L, the right arm 12R is thetrainee member and the left arm 12L is the trainer member. With theassistance of the bias load 9, the left arm 12L only needs to exert anisometric load that is below its maximum endured capacity through outthe routine in order to impose the total load to the right arm 12R atthe right arm maximum capacity during concentric and eccentric motions.In left Arm/Torso training as illustrated in FIG. 1 b, the role isreversed, the right arm 12R becomes the trainer member and the left arm12L becomes the trainee member. Basically, the member that must resistthe additional load produced by the bias load generating means is thetrainee member, and the other is the trainer member. The force diagramis illustrated in FIG. 3 b. The load sensing means 7 can be a device tocontinuously measure the load 11 amplitude or just to indicatewhen/where the load 11 has reached certain limits such as maximum and/orminimum limits; the output signal can be visually displayed with such asa graph, chart and numerical output, or can be audibly displayed withsuch as a sound with variable amplitude or frequency or a verbalannouncement.

As partially illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 2 a and FIG. 2 bsubsequently demonstrate the Lateral Shoulder Press muscle training forleft Arm/Shoulder and right Arm/Shoulder using the same above preferredembodiment of the Asymmetric Physical Exercise System. In thisarrangement, the rigid platform 5 is the lower portion of a rigid frame,and the arm that carries the bias load generating means 8 becomes thetrainee member since it must resist the additional load beside theisometric load.

Beside gravity force generating means such as a weight unit, the biasload generating means 8 can be one or a plurality of elastic devicessuch as mechanical or air springs for producing elastic force. Theelectromagnetic force produced by an electromagnetic motor is anotherexcellent alternative choice since it can be incorporated into thepulley system 4, the bias load magnitude and direction can be varied andcontrolled electronically, and however it is expensive and not portable.One important feature of the bias load generating means is ability tovary the load amplitude.

An alternative design is partially illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein thesystem comprises:

-   -   Interconnecting means that includes attachment means 1 such as        handles, hand grips, straps, pedals at each end of a bar 13 for        the trainee's right hands 3R and left hand 3L to apply isometric        load 10R and 10L against each other through the bar 13, a        supporting means comprising a connecting bracket 14 with swivel        ends and a load sensing means 7 such as a load cell for        monitoring the supporting load 11 to connect the rigid platform        5 such as the upper portion of a rigid frame to the said bar 13        at a location between the two attachment means 1, the length of        the connecting bracket 14 is adjustable to accommodate for the        trainee's height; the connecting bracket 14 can be a flexible        cable 15 as illustrated in FIG. 5 or a belt 16 with adjusting        buckle 17 as illustrated in FIG. 6 or any other flexible means        such as chain, rope or cord. During training, the reciprocal        motion of the arms is produced by the reciprocal rotation of the        bar.    -   A bias load generating means 8 such as a weight unit for        directly or indirectly applying a bias load 9 that is        independent from the bar 13 instantaneous motion velocity        direction to one of the trainee's hands; for right Arm/Torso        training, the bias load generating means 8 is attached to the        trainee's left hand 3L via the attachment means 1; alternately        for left Arm/Torso training, the bias load generating means 8 is        attached to the trainee's right hand 3R via the attachment means        1; the bias load generating means 8 can be slid along the bar 13        to vary the effective bias load. At equilibrium, the sum of all        loads equals zero.

During right Arm/Torso training as illustrated in FIG. 4, as both armspull the bar 13 while moving in opposite directions during reciprocalrotation of the said bar 13, to keep the total load balanced the rightarm 12R must exert a load that equals to the sum of the isometric loadproduced by the left arm 12L and the Bias load 9 imposed by the biasload generating means 8; since the right arm 12R must exert greater loadthan the left arm 12L, the right arm 12R is the trainee member and theleft arm 12L is the trainer member. With the assistance of the bias load9, the left arm 12L only needs to exert an isometric load that is belowits maximum endured capacity through out the routine in order to imposethe total load to the right arm 12R at the right arm maximum capacityduring concentric and eccentric motions. In left Arm/Torso trainingwherein the bias load generating means 8 is relocated to right handportion of the bar 13, the role is reversed, the right arm 12R becomesthe trainer member and the left arm 12L becomes the trainee member.Basically, the member that must resist the additional load produced bythe bias load generating means is the trainee member, and the other isthe trainer member. The force diagram is illustrated in FIG. 3 b. It isobvious that the above asymmetric training concept is applicable fortraining two body member units that apply isometric load against eachother, with each body member unit includes at least one trainee's bodymember such as hand, foot, arm, leg, elbow, head or a combination.

When a dumbbell set having different weight is available, each dumbbellcan be utilized as the combination of attachment means 1 and bias loadgenerating means 8 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2; it is alsofeasible to use a pair of dumbbells having different weights with thelighter one as the attachment means 1 and the heavier one as thecombination of attachment means 1 and bias load generating means 8; thedifference in weight is the bias load 9.

It is obvious that when barbells are available, the bar can be utilizedas the bar 13, and the weight plates can be utilized as the bias loadgenerating means 8, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

When a cable weight machine, wherein cables that connect the handles tothe weight stacks run through adjustable pulleys that can be fixed atany height is available, the bias load 9 can be generated in anydirection with gravity force, then another alternative design ispossible as partially illustrated in FIG. 8, wherein the systemcomprises:

-   -   Interconnecting means that includes two attachment means 1 such        as handles, hand grips, straps, pedals at each of a bar 13 for        the trainee's right hands 3R and left hand 3L to apply isometric        load 10R and 10L against each other through the bar 13 that        comprises a load sensing means 7 such as a load cell to monitor        the isometric load, the length of bar 13 is adjustable. During        training, the reciprocal motion of the arms is produced by the        reciprocal motion of the bar. The load sensing means 7 can be a        device to continuously measure the isometric load amplitude or        just to indicate when/where the isometric load has reached        certain limits such as maximum and/or minimum limits; the output        signal can be visually displayed with such as a graph, chart and        numerical output, or can be audibly displayed with such as a        sound with variable amplitude or frequency or a verbal        announcement.    -   A bias load generating means 8 such as a cable weight machine        for directly applying a bias load 9 that is independent from the        bar 13 instantaneous motion velocity direction to the bar, the        said bias load 9 must have the longitudinal component along the        bar length substantially larger than the orthogonal component.

In right arm triceps muscle training, as both arms pull on the bar 13with the forearms rotating about the elbows to produce reciprocal linearmotion, the right arm triceps must exert a load that equals to the sumof the isometric load produced by the left arm and the bias load 9imposed by the bias load generating means 8; since the right arm tricepsmust exert greater load than the left arm triceps, the right arm tricepsis the trainee member and the left arm triceps is the trainer member.With the assistance of the bias load 9, the left arm triceps only needsto exert isometric load that is below its maximum endured capacitythrough out the routine in order to impose the total load to the rightarm triceps at the right arm triceps maximum capacity during concentricand eccentric motions. In left arm triceps muscle training wherein thebias load generating means 8 is relocated to right hand portion of thebar 13, the role is reversed, the right arm triceps becomes the trainermember and the left arm triceps becomes the trainee member. Basically,the member that must resist the additional load produced by the biasload generating means is the trainee member, and the other is thetrainer member. By pushing on the bar with the forearm rotating aboutthe elbows, the training becomes the arm biceps training. The forcediagram is illustrated in FIG. 3 b.

FIG. 9 a partially illustrates the asymmetric lateral raise shouldertraining with the right shoulder & arm 12R as the trainer members, theleft shoulder & arm 12L as the trainee members and the dumbbell as thebias load generating means 8; with this technique, as standing, botharms pull against each other through the bar 13 while reciprocallyrotate about the shoulder joints to produce a reciprocal swinging motionin a vertical plane, the left shoulder & arm 12L are the trainee memberssince they are subjected to an isometric load and an additional biasload. With the same arrangement, both arms push against each otherthrough the bar 13 while reciprocally rotate about the shoulder jointsto produce a reciprocal swinging motion in a vertical plane, thetechnique becomes an asymmetric iron cross torso training with the righttorso & arm 12R as the trainee members, the left torso & arm 12L as thetrainer members and the dumbbell as the bias load generating means 8;the right torso & arm 12R are the trainee members since they aresubjected to an isometric load and an additional bias load.

FIG. 9 b partially illustrates the asymmetric lateral raise shouldertraining with the left shoulder & arm 12L as the trainer members, theright shoulder & arm 12R as the trainee members and the dumbbell as thebias load generating means 8; with this technique, as standing, botharms pull against each other through the bar 13 while reciprocallyrotate about the shoulder joints to produce a reciprocal swinging motionin a vertical plane, the right shoulder & arm 12R are the traineemembers since they are subjected to an isometric load and an additionalbias load. With the same arrangement, both arms push against each otherthrough the bar 13 while reciprocally rotate about the shoulder jointsto produce a reciprocal swinging motion in a vertical plane, thetechnique becomes an asymmetric iron cross torso training with the lefttorso & arm 12L as the trainee members, the right torso & arm 12R as thetrainer members and the dumbbell as the bias load generating means 8;the left torso & arm 12L are the trainee members since they aresubjected to an isometric load and an additional bias load.

FIG. 10 a partially illustrates the asymmetric flyer chest training withthe right chest & arm 12R as the trainer members, the left chest & arm12L as the trainee members and the dumbbell as the bias load generatingmeans 8; with this technique, as laying in horizontal position, botharms push against each other through the bar 13 while reciprocallyrotate about the shoulder joints to produce a reciprocal swinging motionin a vertical plane, the left chest & arm 12L are the trainee memberssince they are subjected to an isometric load and an additional biasload. With the same arrangement, both arms pull against each otherthrough the bar 13 while reciprocally rotate about the shoulder jointsto produce a reciprocal swinging motion in a vertical plane, thetechnique becomes an asymmetric flyer back training with the right back& arm 12R as the trainee members, the left back & arm 12L as the trainermembers and the dumbbell as the bias load generating means 8; the rightback & arm 12R are the trainee members since they are subjected to anisometric load and an additional bias load.

FIG. 10 b partially illustrates the asymmetric flyer chest training withthe left chest & arm 12L as the trainer members, the right chest & arm12R as the trainee members and the dumbbell as the bias load generatingmeans 8; with this technique, as laying in horizontal position, botharms push against each other through the bar 13 while reciprocallyrotate about the shoulder joints to produce a reciprocal swinging motionin a vertical plane, the right chest & arm 12R are the trainee memberssince they are subjected to an isometric load and an additional biasload. With the same arrangement, both arms pull against each otherthrough the bar 13 while reciprocally rotate about the shoulder jointsto produce a reciprocal swinging motion in a vertical plane, thetechnique becomes an asymmetric flyer back training with the left back &arm 12L as the trainee members, the right back & arm 12R as the trainermembers and the dumbbell as the bias load generating means 8; the leftback & arm 12L are the trainee members since they are subjected to anisometric load and an additional bias load.

It is obvious that some of these training methods can be performedwithout the bar 13 while the isometric load and the bias load areapplied directly through the trainee's hands, however there is no meansto monitor the isometric load in this method.

It is obvious that the above systems can be utilized for staticasymmetry training wherein no motion is produced while the two bodymember units apply isometric load against each other with the additionof a bias load.

1. Asymmetric Physical Exercise System, which comprises: two attachmentmeans, each is attached to one of two trainee's body member units, eachof said body member units includes at least one trainee's body member,an attachment interconnecting means that connects the said twoattachment means to at least provide means for the two body member unitsto apply a load referred as isometric load against each other, and abias loading generating means to apply an additional load referred asbias load to one body member unit directly or indirectly, the said biasload direction is independent from the instantaneous motion velocitydirection of the attachment interconnecting means and comprises acomponent parallel to the isometric load.
 2. Asymmetric PhysicalExercise System of claim 1 wherein the attachment interconnecting meanscomprises a load sensing means to monitor the isometric load applied bythe two body member units against each other.
 3. Asymmetric PhysicalExercise System of claim 1 wherein the spacing distance between the twoattachment means is adjustable.
 4. Asymmetric Physical Exercise Systemof claim 1 wherein the bias loading generating means comprises a meansfor generating bias load with gravity force.
 5. Asymmetric PhysicalExercise System of claim 1 wherein the bias loading generating meanscomprises a means for generating bias load with elastic force. 6.Asymmetric Physical Exercise System of claim 1 further comprises asupporting means to connect the attachment interconnecting means to arigid platform.
 7. Asymmetric Physical Exercise System of claim 6wherein the supporting means comprises a load sensing means to monitorthe supporting load provided by the supporting means.
 8. AsymmetricPhysical Exercise System of claim 6 wherein the supporting means lengthis adjustable.
 9. Asymmetric Physical Exercise System of claim 6 whereinthe attachment interconnecting means comprises: a pulley system thatcomprises at least one pulley, and a flexible cable that runs throughthe pulley system, each end of said flexible cable is connected to eachattachment means.
 10. Asymmetric Physical Exercise System of claim 6wherein the attachment interconnecting means comprise a bar, each end ofsaid bar is connected to each attachment means and the supporting meansconnects to said bar at a location between the two attachment means. 11.Asymmetric Physical Exercise System of claim 10 wherein the bias loadinggenerating means that comprises a means for generating bias load withgravity force is mounted on the bar at adjustable location along the barfor varying the bias load.
 12. Asymmetric Physical Exercise System ofclaim 10 wherein the supporting means comprises a flexible cable withadjustable length.
 13. Asymmetric Physical Exercise System of claim 10wherein the supporting means comprises a belt with buckle for adjustingthe supporting means length.
 14. Asymmetric Physical Exercise methodwherein two trainee's body member units apply a load referred asisometric load against each other directly or indirectly, during which aload referred as bias load is applied to one of the body member units,each of said body member units includes at least one trainee's bodymember, and the said bias load direction is independent from thedirections of body member units instantaneous motion velocities andcomprises a component parallel to the isometric load.
 15. AsymmetricPhysical Exercise method of claim 14 wherein the two trainee's bodymember units move in reciprocal motion.
 16. Asymmetric Physical Exercisemethod of claim 14 wherein the two trainee's body member units remainmotionless at one or a plurality of joint positions.
 17. AsymmetricPhysical Exercise method involving two trainee's body member unitsreferred as first body member unit and second body member unit, each ofsaid body member unit includes at least one trainee's body member,wherein: the total load applied to the first body member unit comprisesan isometric load produced by the second body member unit against thefirst body member unit, the total load applied to the second body memberunit comprises an isometric load produced by the first body member unitagainst the second body member unit and a bias load, and the said biasload direction is independent from the directions of body member unitsinstantaneous motion velocities and comprises a component parallel tothe isometric load.
 18. Asymmetric Physical Exercise method of claim 17wherein the two trainee's body member units move in reciprocal motion.19. Asymmetric Physical Exercise method of claim 17 wherein the twotrainee's body member units remain motionless at one or a plurality ofjoint positions.
 20. Asymmetric Physical Exercise method of claim 17wherein the bias load comprises gravity force.